Customer Reviews

Leslie

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I have read some of Omar Tyree's books, but this one is original on its own. Here it talks about a young black woman with a terrible past yet trying to improve herself from present to future. Yet bad things happen that surrounds her and she's the one person who can end it.
The story has some self-discovery, history, and factual ideas about black women, blacks in poverty, Voodoo, and family. This book may catch a little bit of a mystery as to why Leslie would do all those things. My suggestion is that Omar Tyree should write a part two to this explaining her childhood past plus leading towards her later aftermath of the crimes that she committed. All in all, it was worth reading.

After reading Just Say No! (which I loved), I eagerly anticipated the release of Omar Tyree's latest novel Leslie. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed. This was the story of Leslie, a second year college student at Dillard University, Leslie's roommates and Leslie's immediate family. After a tragic incident and a family secret is revealed, Leslie begins a journey of self-discovery. Through this journey we ascertain the history of her mother, father, younger sister and older brother. Each family member has their own demons, but they all depend on Leslie to help them relieve their pain. Eventually Leslie starts to buckle under the pressure and when a string of murders start to happen all eyes, fingers and toes point to her.

I could not get enough of the Beaudet family. At times, I wished the book would have started earlier in Leslie's childhood to see the interaction between the family members. Nevertheless, I felt I had an understanding in
what made them tick. This was not the case for the roommates. They seemed to all be surface characters. What you saw is what you got. As presented, I did not really want to dig any further to find out more about them.

As the story progressed, I saw the social message that Mr. Tyree was trying to get across, however, I don't believe that Leslie's story could be used as a model for that message. Overall, Leslie held very few surprises and was very predictable including the ending. Even though my expectations were not met with this novel, I will definitely read Tyree's next one.

This book was a 3.5 on the APOOO scale.

Reviewed by Nicole
APOOO BookClub

From Omar Tyree, the New York Times bestselling author of "Flyy Girl" and "For The Love of Money" comes "Leslie," an audio novel set in mysterious New Orleans. Voodoo, drugs and murder permeate this tale about Leslie Beaudet, a beautiful co-ed of Haitian and Black Indian descent.

Leslie is the focal point of a spectrum of dreams and expectations emanating from a cast of entertaining characters who illuminate unique facets of African-American life in the cultural melange of the Big Easy. She is resourceful and determined in her quest for success, thus surprising those who thought they knew her. Like many, Leslie is complex and driven by fears of failure and feelings of powerlessness in controlling her fate.

Healther Alicia Simms' reading adds a pleasing auditory dimension, making Leslie a worthwhile listening experience.

Raw yet lush storytelling makes Leslie a very appealing and refreshing novel from Omar Tyree. This streetwise yet educational story is about the fascinating Leslie -- voodoo priestess, murderer, or a misunderstood young college student?

The setting is New Orleans, on the campus of Dillard University. Leslie is different, alluring, mysterious, and has a lot going on underneath her darkened skin. On one hand she seems like everybody else (a student, a restaurant worker, and a person who's concerned about her family members). But Leslie's mindset is what keeps you turning the pages; maybe you can uncover the motivations of this young lady who has her roommates scared yet in awe of her -- the things she says, the expressions on her face, the unsettling feeling she gives to everyone around her.

The solid pacing gives this story an element of suspense and excitement. You never really know what's going to happen next. And the language of the novel is simply beautiful - a rhythmic mixture of street slang and French (plus the wonderful interpretations so the reader can understand what's being said between the characters). And there are expressions you've never read before that will make you laugh, or make you think.

This novel is a great and commendable effort, flavorful, spicy with good characterizations and social commentary that covers the goings-on of the hood interspersed with the challenges of a mysterious college student.

This is the best Omar Tyree novel to date. If you're looking for something different but good, then give Leslie a try.

The character Leslie is confident, strong, and not afraid to get even. This story about a beautiful and intelligent woman who makes everyone respect her. The broken bond between the roommates is packed with adventure. Leslie dedication to her sister and nieces is incredible. She has many different dimensions a mixture of good and bad. Leslie has a voice that we all should hear.

The novel explores poverty and the mindsets of those impoverished. It's a great depature from the books on the market now. It stands out. This is Tyree's best work.

Leslie and Diary of a Groupie, Mr. Tyree's two most recent books have been horrible. Leslie was a terrible story that was too long and just seemed thrown together. There really was no reason for the murders to take place and the whole voodoo portion of the book was just thrown in there to add some spunk which didnt work. I'm glad I bought this book used, but still mad I even wasted [$$] on it.

This is a spectacular and unique work of fiction from Omar Tyree. Rich in complexity, characters, plot, social, and political commentary it is obvious that Omar has not only strengthened his style, but has also gained more depth as a writer. The only drawbacks to this newest work is that there is some explaining to be desired, especially in the section regarding the story Leslie's mother, Ann Marie tells her daughter of her Vadou priestess roots, and who are the mysterious Vadou priestess women who refer to Leslie as Isis The War Goddess, and what is their interest in her? Omar also leaves the reader with an antagonizing and haunting cliff hanger ending. Perhaps there is to be a part two? Still this work is strong, and brilliant, and will intrigue you from start to finish. Tyree earns 5 stars!

i read this book- i thought omar missed the mark on this one- the storyline was dark without any real explanation as to why, it concentrated on the myth of voodoo and i never once felt connected to one of his characters. leslie was what- to who? the story was told from so many characters- the 3 roomates, her brother, father, sister and even her mother. my question, is "who is leslie"- to the reader? was i to feel sorry for her strifes in early child hood? was this to justify the unreal acts of violence that peppered the book. (i did not think so) well, i 'll pass on the seasoning the next ime round... the book was preaching in one voice and justifying violence in another... i was perplexed to what the message was here... the story jumped about so often, i could not form a picture in my head who was who from the first chapter. this was not one of omar tyree's best books- not by a long shot.

Mysterious, captivating thats how decribe Omar Tyree's latess book. Leslie had me caught up right from the start and held me straight to the end. I could barely stand to put the book down it was that good. It's about a co-ed girl with a Haitian desent. She gets caught up in her life, family, men, sex and voodoo.

"Leslie" was a disappointment. I gave it 2 stars for the characters, who were believable for the most part. There was the potential for a good plot, but it fell apart because of the "choppiness." Also, there was too much reading of the characters' minds. The story centers around Leslie, a college student of Haitian descent, who basically makes her own trouble. On the outside, Leslie appears to have it together--brains, beauty, a quick wit, studious. Leslie is angry at her brother, Pierre, because of unresolved issues with a tragic situation from the past. Throughout the book, the college students sound like anything but. Broken English, dropped word endings, and too much profanity. By the time a person is a sophomore in college, one should have developed better speaking skills. Another incongruity is that Leslie's sister and brother both speak fluent French, but when speaking in English, it's ghettoese. I also want to know what is going to happen to Mr. Beaudet, and the old priestess that Leslie met on the bus. I kept reading, hoping the story would fall into place, but we are lead to what we hope is an exciting ending, only to be let down. I think if Mr. Tyree had put "Leslie" away for a while, then picked it up and re-read it with a fresh look, he may have been moved to give it a serious rewriting. Add some serious research on voodooism, and he would have had a winner. After "Flyy Girl," which I really enjoyed, "Leslie" was a letdown. Mr. Tyree might consider doing a sequel, and spend more time developing the plot and character interaction.